Union Unite has confirmed it will ballot North Sea offshore workers on taking official industrial action.

The union has been locked in a long-running dispute with the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) over workers' pay and conditions.

In a statement, the OCA said it "remains willing" to implement a 2% increase on basic pay for offshore employees, despite trade unions' plans for an industrial ballot. However in March, 81% of Unite's members voted to reject the deal.

Paul Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the OCA, said: "Our offer guarantees that basic pay will be linked to inflation up to 2019 ensuring that wages keep pace with the cost of living.

"We believe that our offer balances the need to reward employees while supporting the requirements of each OCA member company and our collective overarching aim; to ensure job opportunities in the North Sea now and in the long-term.


"It is extremely disappointing that the trade unions are refusing to engage with us on the  issues that matter to their members.

"We will continue to do all we can to avoid any disruption. Industrial action will only serve to make investment in the North Sea less attractive and jeopardise the long-term future of the industry."

Unite regional officer, John Boland, said its members are "growing angry" over the behaviour of OCA employers.

"Last week, we went to talks with them at ACAS, and they told us that they didn't have the right people there to negotiate, and asked us to explain our pay claim – even though they've had it for months," he said.

"They then had the brass neck to issue a press saying they were disappointed with the outcome."

"Today (25 April), they have put out another press release saying they ‘remain willing' to implement a 2 per cent pay increase. That's the pay increase that's already been overwhelmingly rejected by our members, and that would see them suffer a real-terms pay cut.

"If we are going to settle this dispute, we need substance, not spin. Until we get genuine commitment from the OCA to improve their offer, we will continue to act on our members' wishes, and give them the chance to have a say on possible industrial action, including strike action."

(LM/MH)